A Simple Wish About love - Karice Bolton Page 0,59

they get to your room.”

Erika grinned and nodded. This was going to be an amazing vacation.

As they slowly wandered toward the parlor, they stopped to take in the beautiful artwork and the lovely architectural details that a home this old had.

“Beautiful place,” Slade said.

“It is.” Erika smiled. “Even though I might have had ulterior motives, at least we’ll enjoy our time.”

Scott cleared his throat from behind, and Slade laughed.

Erika and Slade walked hand-in-hand toward the parlor, and Scott fell behind. Slade pushed open the double doors, and everyone inside yelled, “Surprise.”

She quickly glanced around the lobby and then back at the parlor when she realized she recognized the people standing in the parlor and the surprise was for her.

But it wasn’t her birthday.

Slade led her into the room packed with people she loved and cared about, and before she knew what was happening, Slade dropped to one knee.

“Erika, you have saved me,” Slade began. “You’ve saved me from an old way of living. You’ve brought beauty to a new way of existing.”

Erika’s hands began to tremble as Slade clutched them both in his.

“I love you so much, Erika. So much.” He squeezed her hands, and she sniffled. “Before I met you, I had more dark times than light times, but you became my light in the darkness. You showed me a way out of the darkness. I love you for that. I love you for so much more.”

Erika swallowed down the lump she had in her throat as her son stood by Slade’s side.

“I asked your son for your hand in marriage.”

Erika glanced at Scott and then back at Slade. “What did he say?”

Everyone in the room laughed as Scott smiled. “He said yes.”

Tears streamed down Erika’s cheeks as she saw her son beaming.

“Erika, will you marry me? Will you let me be your light in times of darkness now and forever?” he asked, opening up a ring box that Scott handed him.

“You two are very sneaky men.” She giggled, and Slade kept staring at her.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, and everyone started chuckling again.

Erika’s hands flew up to her face. “Oh, yes. Definitely a yes.”

Scott came in to hug his mom even before Slade had a chance, and there was nothing Erika could have wanted more. She had the two men who meant everything in the world to her. When Scott let go, Slade brought his mouth close to her ear.

“You make the world seem better than it is,” Slade whispered in her ear. “And I need that.”

“But the world is that good.”

“You’re a marvel to me, Erika. You gave me strength that I couldn’t muster myself. You know when to be hard, and you know when to be soft. You just know.”

Erika smiled and nestled her head into the crook of his neck.

“You are love, Erika,” Slade said, bringing his lips to hers.

“You were my one simple wish, Slade.” Erika lifted her head to look at Slade and smiled again. “You made me believe in love again.”

***

Hope you enjoyed Erika and Slade’s story!! Thank you so much for reading this latest installment of Silver Ridge! Want to read about Drew North? His story will appear in the NEW series, Cloudberry Inn. The first book, Imagining You, is available for preorder on Amazon. I can’t wait to share it with you soon… I’m so excited. Click here to view on Amazon or search “Cloudberry Inn” on Amazon, and you can preorder or add to your wish list.

I've also included an excerpt from Mr. Mistake. It's a completed series with Mr. Mistake, Mr. Accident, Mr. Wrong, and Mr. Right! Keep scrolling for a fun intro...

Mr. Mistake Excerpt

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I looked at my three best friends from childhood and shook my head. “We’re not bringing that up. Not today. Not ever.”

“Why?” Winter asked, wiggling her brows. “Think we’re onto something, Tessa?”

Winter’s brown hair was swept into a braid, and her blue eyes sparkled with an intensity that told me I was doomed. She still had a trace of clay along her wrist, which told me she’d been at her potter’s wheel all day and needed an outlet.

Nothing like being tricked into a dinner with friends, which was really a guise for another torture session to vent about relationships.

Or the lack thereof.

“I just think it’s silly stuff.” I waved my hand to dismiss the topic and summon the bartender. “I’m super happy. I have a super life. I have a super job. I have super friends, most